Madison Family Dental invests in new facility to better serve community

Heartland Energy’s HELP Fund provides financing to support local business growth

A trip to the dentist isn’t something most people look forward to, so Dr. Matthew Tobkin and Dr. William Baune set out to make the experience a little more comfortable.

As Madison Family Dental continued to grow, its existing facility became a limiting factor in making that happen. With appointments booking out six months or more, the doctors needed more space to accommodate patients, expand services and bring additional providers on board. 

They decided to construct a new facility designed to meet those needs with more room to serve patients and a better working environment for employees. The building, which opened in late September, also offers the flexibility to incorporate new technologies as dentistry continues to evolve.

Improving the patient experience

Madison Family Dental has long been a fixture in the Madison community, building lasting relationships with patients and families across generations.

Dr. Tobkin moved to Madison in 2019 and purchased a 50% share of the practice. Dr. Baune purchased the remaining 50% in 2021, and the two have been equal partners ever since.

“Keeping Madison Family Dental locally owned is important to us,” Baune said. “We both live and work in this community and want to make decisions in the best interest of our patients and employees.”

The new facility gives the practice room to grow while making it easier for patients to schedule needed care. Additional treatment rooms provide greater scheduling flexibility, allowing for more patients to be seen.  

The facility also enhances the patient’s experience. They can relax with built-in chair massagers, watch televisions mounted on the walls or ceilings in each treatment room, and enjoy views and natural light from the building’s large windows. A new coffee machine has also been popular with patients. 

“We tried to make the office feel a little less like a dental office and make it more comfortable for everyone who comes through the door,” Baune said. 

A more modern practice

The new building was designed specifically around the needs of a modern dental practice. A centralized sterilization area, dedicated dental lab and strategically placed equipment help the team work more efficiently.

New technology, including 3D dental imaging, will help providers diagnose problems and plan certain procedures. The expanded space also allows them to offer additional services, helping patients take care of more of their dental needs close to home.

“Our goal is to continue adding services so patients can have more of their dental needs taken care of in Madison instead of having to travel out of town,” Tobkin said. 

Preparing for the move also meant growing the team. The practice added providers, dental assistants and dental hygienists ahead of the opening so they would be ready to serve patients in the new space. As the practice makes greater use of its expanded facility, the doctors anticipate hiring additional team members.

An investment in Madison

For Tobkin and Baune, building a new facility was about more than creating a modern dental office. It was an opportunity to invest in a community that has supported them and to ensure local residents have access to quality dental care for years to come.

Both doctors are originally from South Dakota. Baune graduated from South Dakota State University before attending dental school at the University of Nebraska. After serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, he returned to his home state.

Tobkin attended the University of Minnesota, Morris, and Eastern New Mexico University before earning his dental degree from Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia. He later practiced in the Denver area before moving to Madison with his family.

“Madison has been great to us,” Baune said. “We see a lot of potential here and wanted to make an investment that shows we’re planning to be here for a long time.”

The doctors value the longstanding relationships they have with patients, including some who have visited the practice for generations. Expanding the facility allows them to build on those relationships while preparing to serve future generations.

The project also includes approximately 3,000 square feet of commercial space, creating additional opportunities for businesses to locate in Madison.

Financing local growth

To help finance a portion of the project, Madison Family Dental utilized Heartland Energy’s HELP Fund, which provides financing assistance for eligible local businesses and community development projects.

“Building a new dental office is a major financial investment,” Tobkin said. “We’re fortunate to have programs like the HELP Fund available to local businesses looking to expand.”

For Heartland, supporting the project means helping a local business grow while expanding access to healthcare services and creating opportunities for additional businesses.

“Local businesses are an important part of what makes a community thrive,” said Heartland Director of Economic Development Brooke Rollag. “We’re proud to offer financing options that help businesses like Madison Family Dental invest in their future and continue providing essential services to their community.”

With more space, expanded capabilities and plans for continued growth, Madison Family Dental is building on its longstanding connection to the community while preparing to care for patients for decades to come.

“We hope this new building will serve Madison for many years, even after we’re retired,” Tobkin said.